Corn harvester roll



R. C. FERGASON CORN HARVESTER ROLL Filed May 12, 1945 Jan. 23, 1951 changeable thin-walled, roll-forming stampings or the like affording a material reduction in the weight and cost of the roll.

The construction, application and advantages of snapping roll sections embodying the inventionwill become readily apparent as the disclosure progresses and particularly points out additional features and advantages deemed of special importance. And accordingly the invention may be considered as consisting of the various details of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts as is more fully set forth in the appended claims and in the detailed description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal horizontal section through a pair of corn harvester rolls embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the rear, ear-snapping part of the roll shown in Fig. 1 with the rolls turned 90 from the position shown in Fig. 1 and with parts broken away to better show the construction;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line III-III of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line IV-I'v of Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, it is seen that the invention may be applied to a pair of corn harvester rolls supported in coacting side-by-sidel relation by longitudinallyspaced front and rear pairs of bearing structures I and 2, respectively, and that each roll may include an inner shaft member 3 to which is removably secured a forward Y ear-snapping section 4, an intermediate trash-removing section 6, a rear husk-removing section '1, and a rear trash-removing part 8. The rear end portions of inner shaft members 3 are drivingly connected by meshed gears 9 and the end of one shaft member is provided with a suitable coupling II for connecting same with a power shaft or source (not shown). In this connection, a pair of rolls such as herein described is adapted to be utilized in a corn harvester of the type disclosed in U. S. patent, C. J. Scranton, 2,340,084, to which reference may be had for additional information as to the generalarrangement and coaction of parts.

The ear-snapping sections -4 are externally fluted or ribbed and each section includes a forwardly tapering, pointed front or.nose part I2 and a rear part I3v disposed in end-abutting relation with respect to the front part with the fiutes or ribs I4 on the front part forming continuations of t'ne equally spaced, longitudinally extending flutes or ribs I5 on the rear part. The front and rear parts may be secured to shaft members 3 in any suitable manner such as by means of one or more pins I6. The front pair of bearing structures I include a fixed bearing I'I supported by a bracket structure I8 anda movable bearing I9 supported by a bracket structure (-not shown) and continuously urged toward fixed bearing I'I by i means of an adjustable compression spring ZI.

The normal position of bearing I9 relative to bearing I1 and thereby the spacing of snapping sections 4 is determined by the engagement of annular ring parts 22 disposed between bearings Il, I9 and the opposed ends of rear parts I3 as is clearly shown in Fig. 1.

Referringalso to Figs. 2-4, inclusive, it will be seen that each rear part I3 comprises interchangeable` arcuate sections 23 having outwardly extending longitudinal edge flanges 24 detachably united -in longitudinal rib-forming relation by means of bolts 26, and a, separable annular member 21 presenting the associated spacing ring part 22 (previously mentioned) and having a reduced end part 28 disposed within and clampingly engaged by the enlarged tube-forming rear end portions of sections 23. In this connection, the ribforming pairs of flanges 24 are preferably disposed in spaced, gap-forming relation in order to improve their stalk-gripping effectiveness and this relation of the flanges is readily effected and maintained by an interposed spacing strip 29 of less width than the radial width of flanges 24. The stalk-gripping effectiveness of the longitudinal ribs may be further improved by bending or otherwise shaping the outer edge portions of the pairs of anges forming same to provide longitudinal ribs each presenting a pair of nonparallel stalk-gripping surfaces 30 separated by a gap 3|. In any event, it will be noted that the gap separating each pair of longitudinally extending outer stalk-gripping surfaces is of considerably less radial depth than the overall radial height of the rib presenting such surfaces and/or of less radial depth, where more than one rib is employed, than the depth of the space separating adjacent ribs.

As illustrated, each rear part I3 may be formed of four interchangeable arcuate sections 23, and a diametrically opposed pair of these sections is provided with alined holes for receiving pins I6 retaining same non-rotatably positioned on shaft member 3. In addition, the enlarged rear end portions of the same diametrically opposedpair of sections may be provided with a pair of internally threaded holes 32 (see Fig. 4) forthe purpose of detachably securing ear-snapping clips 33 thereto by means of cap screws 34. The clips are provided with slotted openings 36 in order to permit adjustment of same relative to the leading edge of the leading stalk-gripping surface presented by the longitudinal rib. The reduced end portion 28 of annular member 2l is provided with enlarged holes 37 which are alined with the holes 32 in the ends of sections 23 and serve to receive the ends of cap screws 34. In this connection, only one roll is shown as provided with clips 33 and these clips should be positioned so that their radially projecting, stalk-shearing edges just clear the flute or rib on the opposing roll (see Fig. 4). Referring again to Figs. 1 and 2, it will also be noted that the rear end portions of ribs I5 are of increased radial width and present stalk-gripping surfaces substantially flush with the peripheral surface of spacing ring parts 22.

It should new be obvious that arcuate sections 23 are detachably united by bolts 2G and are detachably secured to shaft member 3 for rotation therewith by means of pins i6 and by the clamping action afforded by the bolts 25. In addition, it should also be obvious that the annular members 21 are secured to and rotate with arcuate sections 23 due to the clamping action of bolts 26 and to the projection of cap screws 34 into the holes 3l', and that the cap screws 34 and clips 33 need not be removed in order to remove and replace one or more of the arcuate sections 23. If however, the clips 33 should become ineffective, they may be readily moved and replaced either separately or with the section mounting same, as desired. In this connection, all that has to be done in order to remove and interchange or replace one or more of such sections is to remove the bolts 26 securing same to the next adjacent sections, and if the section to be removed is additionally secured to shaft member 3 by means of pins I6, to also remove such pins whereupon the ging edges and since such an interchange of sections in effect reverses the leading and lagging edges of the sections interchan'ged.

In additionA to the featurek of affording readily replaceable, interchangeable parts, the construc`` tion herein shown and described also affords an" improved stalk-gripping rim' presenting a pair of nonparallel stalk-gripping surfaces separatedby a gap into which a portion of a stalk is pressed in' passing' between the pairs of opposed ribs presented by a pair of coasting rolls. Moreover, a" stalk-gripping rib of this type presents in effect two leading stalk-gripping edges irrespective of whether the rib is' formed by pairs'of coactn'g flanges on separable sections as herein disclosed. or in any other manner. Furthermore, the sectional rear part construction herein di's'cl'osed'per# mits the use of thin-walled, tube-forming sections thereby alfording a relatively inexpensive, lightweight structure which can be readily made extremely durable and effective simply by suitably hardening the outer edge portions of the ribforming flanges and grinding the stalk-gripping surfaces of same to provide sharp stalk-gripping edges.

Another feature considered of special im portance 1s tne provision of replaceable annular' members 2 affording a hub-like support for rear parts I3 of the snapping sections and presenting plain exposed cylindrical surfaces having diameters at least equal to the maximum external diameter of rear parts |73 and to the maximum external diameter of the opposedA relatively movable parts of bearings l1 and I9 (see Fig. l). This feature is of particular advantage in that it permits the use of readily replaceable hardened members for determining the minimumspacing of the rolls and thereby avoids subjecting the opposed relatively movable parts of bearings I1 and I9 to frequent impact engagement normally resulting from a spreading of the rolls due to the passage of material therebetween and from the action of spring 2l tending to snap the rolls together when cleared of such material, In this connection the frequent impact engagement of opposed bearing parts inherently results in a rapid wearing of such parts which in turn neces sitates frequently adjusting the spacing of the snapping sections by insertion of shims or the. like between opposed bearing parts in order lto obtain satisfactory operation and in order to prevent impact engagement of and damage to the stalk-gripping surfaces and/or edges of opposed flutes or ribs presented by rear parts E 3.

Certain features of the invention are obviously applicable to all types of corn harvester snapping. rolls irrespective of how the rolls or sections thereof are formed, and while all features of the invention have been disclosed in connection with snapping rolls having separable rear parts of sectional construction, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact details of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts as herein shown and described for purposes of illustration yas various modifications within the scope of the 6! app'erideu'l ciairns may' occur to," persons skilled theart.

It isi claimed and-desired to secure by Letters Patent:

l. In a corn harvester, a fabricated snapping roll! comprising arcuatevse'cti'ons havingr outwardly extending longitudinal edge flanges, and means. detachably uniting said sections in tube-forming relationfwith their edge flanges coacting to form a plurality ofcircumfe'rentially spaced,A .l'ongi` tudinally' 'extending' Vstalk-gripping ribs eachin cluding a pair ofsaidflanges, said pairs'of flanges having their outer edge portions spaced apart in outwardly dii/'erging relation to present a pair of nonparallel stalkegripping. surfaces separated by a gap therebetween.

2. In a vcorn harvester, a fabricated snapping roll comprising arcuate sections having outwardly extending longitudinal Ddg'e flanges, and means detachably unitingA` said sections intube-forming relation-with their edge flanges coactingv to form a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending` stalk-gripping: ribs each incluid-v ing a pair of said anges, said pairs of flanges having their outer edge portions deformed. in outwardly diverg-ingV relation to improve their stalk-gripping action.

3. A corn harvesterv snapping roll comprisingxa separable rear part formed of interchangeable arcuate sections having outwardly extending longitudinal edge flangesl detachably united and providing circumferentially spaced,.longitudinally extending stalk-gripping ribs each. including a pair of said flanges,r said flanges having their longitudinal edge portions deformed in outwardly diverging relation 'to improve their stalk-gripu ping action,

4; A corn harvester'roll structure comprising a pair of shaft members each mounting anv ear snapping section` including a tubular front part.. a separate tubular. rear part end-abutting sai-:ly front part, anda separate annular member having'a reduced portion providing a hub-like sup-v port for the rear end of said tubular. rear part, a' first pair of bearing structures rotatably supporting opposed rear'end portions of 'said shafts remote from 'said ear snapping sections, and a second pair of bearing structures rotatably supporting" opposed kportions of said shafts' adjacent said/annular members, said second pair of bearing structures including opposed, relatively Amovable parts'and a biasing means continuously acting to' retain saidV partsin engaged, shaft spacing relation, and said 'annular member presenting an exposed plain cylindrical surfacey having a diam-- eter at least equal. to the maximum external diameter of said tubular rear part and to thernaxi mum external diameter of said opposed, relatively movable bearing parts.

5. .A` corn harvester ear snapping and husking apparatus comprising'a pairl of rolls each includ-Y ing alined ear snapping and husking sections, a firstpair YofV bearing structures rotatably supporti ing opposed rear end portions of .said rolls, and a second pair of bearing structures rotatably supporting opposed portions of the rolls adjacent the rear ends of said ear snapping sections, said second pair of bearing structures including opposed, relatively movable parts and a biasing means continuously acting to retain said parts in engaged, shaft-spacing relation, and said ear snapping sections each including separable front and. rear'p'arts and a separate annular member providing a hub-like support for the rear end of :said rear' part and presenting an exposed plain 7 cylindrical external surface having a diameter at least equal to the maximum external diameter of said rear part of the ear snapping section and to the maximum external diameter of said opposed relatively movable bearing parts.

6. A corner harvester ear snapping and husking apparatus comprising a pair of rolls each including alined ear snapping and husking sections, a first pair of bearing structures rotatably supporting opposed rear end portions of said rolls, a second pair of bearing structures rotatably supporting opposed portions of the rolls remote from said rear end portions, said second pair of bearing structures including opposed, relatively movable parts and a biasing means continuously acting to retain said parts in engaged, shaft-spacing relation, and a pair of annular members rcplaceably, coaxially carried by said rolls in opposed relation adjacent said second pair of bearing structures, said pair of members presenting plain cylindrical external surfaces having a diameter sufficient to determine the minimum spacing of said rolls and to prevent the action of said biasing means from eifecting an engagement of said opposed relatively movable bearing parts.

7. A corn harvester comprising a pair of rolls, a first pair of bearing structures rotatably supporting opposed rear end portions of said rolls, a second pair of bearing structures rotatably supporting opposed portions of the rolls remote,` from said rear end portions, said second pair of bearing structures including opposed, relatively movable parts and a biasing means continuously acting to retain said parts in engaged, shaftspacing relation, and a, pair of annular members .l

replaceably, coaxially carried by said rolls in opposed relation adjacent said second pair of bearing structures, said pair of members presenting plain cylindrical external surfaces having a diameter sufficient to determine the minimum spacing of said rolls and to prevent the action of said biasing means from effecting an engagement of said opposed relatively movable bearing parts.

8. A corn harvester roll structure comprising a pair of sha-ft members each mounting an ear snapping section including a tubular front part, a separate tubular rear part end abutting said front part, and a separate annular member having a reduced portion providing a hub-like support for the rear end of said tubular rear part, means rotatably mounting said shafts including a pair of bearing structures rotatably supporting opposed portions of said shafts adjacent said annular members, said pair of bearing structures including opposed, relatively movable parts and a biasing means continuously acting to retain said parts in engaged, shaft spacing relation, and said annular member presenting an exposed plain cylindrical surface having a diameter at least equal to the maximum external diameter of said tubular rear part and to the maximum external diameter of said opposed, relatively movable bearing parts.

9. In a corn harvester, a pair of co-operative harvester rolls mounted for rotation in side opposed generally parallel relation, one of said rolls including a separable portion comprising complementary arcuate longitudinal sections having outwardly extending longitudinal edge flanges, and means detachably uniting said sections in coacting tube-forming relation with the edge flanges on adjacent sections disposed in contiguous abutting relation providing a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced ribs each presenting a pair of longitudinally extending outer edge surfaces separated by a slight gap therebetween as compared to the spacing between said ribs.

10. In a horn harvester, an ear picking structure comprising a pair of co-operative harvester rolls mounted for rotation in side opposed generally parallel relation, one of said rolls including a forwardly tapered externally fluted nose portion and a separable stalk-gripping rearward extension thereof having axially extending external ribs forming continuations of the flutes on said nose portion, said rearward extension comprising complementary arcuate tube-forming sections having outwardly extending longitudinal edge flanges, and means detachably uniting said sections in coacting tube-forming relation with the edge anges on adjacent sections disposed in contiguous abutting relation providing a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced ribs, said ribs each presenting a pair of longitudinally extending stalk-gripping outer edge surfaces separated by a slight gap therebetween as compared to the spacing between said pairs of ribs.

l1. In a corn harvester, an ear picking structure comprising a pair of co-operative harvester rolls mounted for rotation in side opposed generally parallel relation, one of said rolls including a nose portion and a separately detachable stalk-gripping rearward extension thereof comprising complementary arcuate tube-forming sections having outwardly extending longitudinal edge anges, and means detachably uniting said sections in coacting tube-forming relation with the edge flanges on adjacent sections disposed in contiguous abutting relation providing a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced ribs, said ribs each presenting a pair of longitudinally extending outer edge surfaces separated by a slight gap therebetween to improve their stalk-gripping action.

12. In a corn harvester, an ear picking structure comprising a pair of co-operative harvester rolls mounted for rotation in side opposed generally parallel relation, one of said rolls including a nose portion and a separately detachable stalkgripping rearward extension thereof comprising complementary arcuate longitudinal sections having outwardly extending longitudinal edge flanges, and means detachably uniting said sections in coacting tube-forming relation with the edge iianges on adjacent sections disposed in contiguous abutting relation providing a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced ribs, said ribs each presenting a pair of longitudinally extending stalk-gripping outer edge surfaces separated by a slight gap therebetween as compared to the spacing between said pairs of ribs.

13. In a corn harvester, a harvester roll cornprising a rotatably mounted core membery a tubular nose part enclosing the forward end of said core member and being secured thereto for rotation therewith, a tubular stalk-gripping part surrounding said core member in end opposed relation with respect to the rear end of said nose part, said stalk-gripping part comprising complementary arcuate longitudinal sections having outwardly extending longitudinal edge flanges, and means detachably uniting and mounting said sections in coacting tube-forming relation about said core member for removal therefrom independently of said nose part and for rotation therewith with the edge flanges on adjacent sections disposed in contiguous 'abutting relation providing a'plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced ribs each presenting apair of similarlyextending stalk-gripping outer edge surfaces separated by a slightgap therebetween.

14. In a corn harvester, a harvester roll comprising a rotatably mounted core member, a tubular nose part enclosing the forward end of said core member and being secured thereto for rotation therewith, a tubular stalk-gripping part surroundingsaid core member in end opposed relation with respect to the rear end of said nose part, said stalk-gripping part comprising complementary arcuate longitudinal sections having outwardly extending longitudinal edge flanges, and means detachably uniting and mounting said sections in coacting tube-forming relation about Said core member for removal v'therefrom Vindependently of said nose part and for rotation therewith with the edge lianges on adjacent sections disposed in contiguous abutting relation providing a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced ribs, said ribs each presenting a pair of similarly extending stalk-gripping outer edge surfaces separatecl by a slight gap therebetween as compared to the spacing between said ribs.

15. A corn harvester snapping roll comprising a core member, means rotatably mounting said core member, tubular roll parts surrounding and xed to said core member for rotation therewith in spaced end opposed relation with respect to each other, a tubular intermediate part surrounding said core member in end opposed relation with respect to said roll parts, said intermediate part comprising complementary arcuate longitudinal sections having outwardly extending longitudinal edge anges, and means detachably uniting and mounting said sections in coacting tube-forming relation about said core member for removal therefrom independently of said roll parts and for rotation therewith with the edge flanges on adjacent sections disposed in contiguous abutting relation providing longitudinally extending circumerentially spaced ribs each prei senting a pair of similarly extending stalk-gripping outer edge surfaces separated by a slight gap therebetween.

16. A corn harvester snapping roll comprising a core member, means rotatably mounting said core member including a bearing structure supporting a forward end portion thereof, a tubular nose part enclosing the front end of said core member and being nxed thereto for rotation therewith in spaced relation with respect to said bearing structure, a tubular rear part surrounding the portion of said core member between said nose part and bearing structure in end opposed relation thereto, said rear part comprising complementary arcuate longitudinal sections having outwardly extending longitudinal edge flanges, and means detachably uniting and mounting said sections in coacting tube-forming relation about Said core member for removal therefrom independently of said nose part and for rotation therewith with the edge flanges on adjacent sections disposed in contiguous abutting relation providing longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced ribs each presenting a pair of similarly extending stalk-gripping outer edge surfaces separated by a gap therebetween.

1'7. A corn harvester snapping roll comprising a rotatably mounted core member, a front part secured to said core member Afor rotation therewith and for removal therefrom by movement of saidfront part` forwardly longitudinally' of said member, an-annular member mounted on saidcore member in spaced relation with respect tothe rear end of said front part and presenting a forwardly extending reduced end portion, a tubularr stalk-gripping part surrounding said core member in end opposed relation with respect-to said -front partv with its Yrear end surrounding and supported bythere'duced end portion of said annular member, said Astalk-gripping part comprising arcuate longitudinal sections having outwardly extending longitudinal edge flanges, and means detachably uniting and mounting said sections in coact'ing tube-forming relation about said core member for removal therefrom independently of said front part and annular member and forrotation with said core member withthe edge flanges on adjacent sections disposed in contiguous abutting relation providing a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced ribs each presenting a pair of similarly extending stalk-gripping outer edge surfaces.

18. A corn harvester roll comprising a stalk gripping section provided with at least one axially extending radial rib having a circumferential thickness considerably less than its radial height and presenting a pair of circumferentially longitudinally extending outer surfaces separated by a substantial gap therebetween of considerably less radial depth than the overall radial height of said rib, said outer surfaces each presenting at least two longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced stalk gripping edges.

19. A corn harvester roll comprising a stalk gripping section provided with at least one axially extending radial rib having a circumferential thickness considerably less than its radial height and presenting a pair of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending outer radial portions having outwardly diverging opposed walls forming the sides of a separating gap of considerably less radial depth than the overall `radial height of said rib, said radial portions each presenting at least two longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced outer stalk gripping edges.

20. A corn harvester roll comprising a forwardly tapered externally fluted nose portion and a stalk gripping rearward extension thereof provided with at least one axially extending radial rib forming a continuation of a flute on said nose portion, said rib having a circumferential thickness considerably less than its radial height and presenting a pair of circumferentially longitudinally extending outer surfaces separated by a substantial gap therebetween of considerably less radial depth than the overall radial height of said rib, and said outer surfaces each presenting at least two longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced stalk gripping edges.

2l. In a corn harvester, an ear picking structure comprising a pair of cooperative harvester rolls mounted for rotation in side opposed generally parallel relation, said rolls each including a stalk gripping section having at least one axially extending radial ribwith the rib on one roll opposing that one the other roll, said ribs each having a circumferential thickness considerably less than its radial height and each presenting a pair of circumferentially longitudinally extending outer surfaces separated by a substantial gap l, therebetween of considerably less radial depth than the overall radial height of said rib, said outer surfles each presenting at least two lon- ,gitudi1j1ally,.V extending circumferentially spaced stalk gripping edges.

depth than the overall radial height of said rib, f

said outer surfaces each presenting at least two longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced stalk gripping edges.

' RECTOR C. FERGASON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of `this patent:

Number 12 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Webber May 16, 1882 Lanz June 12, 1900 Johnston June 28, 1904 Ingersoll Jan. '1, 1908 Richardson Mar. 9, 1915 Baird Feb. 25, 1919 Jaeckle June 20, 1922 Oppenheim July 24, 1923 Gebhardt May 13, 1924 Dues Nov. 4, 1924 Keeler Nov. 19, 1929 Buchanan June 28, 1932 Beaudry Feb. 15, 1938 Morral Nov. 14, 1939 Ratkowski Jan, 13, 1942 Scranton Dec. 25, 1945 

